Change to 'Buy it now'
Summary: blossomtree123 sought advice on how to handle a message from a potential buyer who missed the end of an auction and requested to buy the item at the current listing price. Various participants provided insights, suggesting adding a 'Buy It Now' option or keeping the auction format to encourage bidding. vinylscot noted the need for a 'Buy It Now' price to be at least 40% higher than the opening bid. Another participant advised conducting price research and considering the item's value before deciding. *vyolla* recommended letting the buyer bid and ending the auction with the 'Sell to highest bidder' option.
Hi.
My listing has just ended and I have just relisted the item.
I have just had a message from the person who was watching the item saying, that they "missed then end of the auction and would I be willing to sell it for the currently listed price? If so, please add a buy it now option and I would be happy to get it today."
Is this normal? And is it ok to do this?
I'm new to all this!!
Thanks
*vyolla*
·3 weeks agoIf you're happy to sell it for the opening bid price then just ask your potential buyer to place a bid and then you can end the auction by selecting "Sell to highest bidder" as the reason. It's then sold at that bid price and they can pay.
blossomtree123
OP3 weeks agoThat sounds like good advice, many thanks. BJ
theelench
·3 weeks agoWhen I used to get that sort of message I would straight away go over my price research and the item's history. If the item is one of your books, have you listed a valuable First Edition or rarity that the would-be buyer would like to get hold of without any competition in an auction?
If you're confident your pricing is right and you're happy to take the opening bid price, then follow the advice already given above. Good Luck !
blossomtree123
OP3 weeks agoThanks so much for your advice. I'm learning all the time! BJ
vinylscot
·3 weeks agoA "Buy It Now" figure must be at least 40% higher than your opening bid amount, so it's not as simple as just adding a figure. If you really do want to sell at this price, it's better to allow offers, and let your buyer know you will accept an offer of £x.
blossomtree123
OP3 weeks agoThat's really helpful, thank you so much for your advice - I need all the help I can get, I'm new to this part of Ebay!
missdollydaydream
·3 weeks agoIf you are not desperate sell, keep it an auction. If your potential buyer wants it, they'll bid for it.
blossomtree123
OP3 weeks agoThank you for your advice. BJ
cheekychippy210
·3 weeks ago · Editedonly you know how many views and watchers it had!
not unusual to get such messages, its what it owes you, what you want for it and do you need the space.
blossomtree123
OP3 weeks agoThank you for your help. It did have 1 watcher.
cheekychippy210
·3 weeks agoone watcher. I have let items go when faced with that buy it now request.
tommystrezures
·3 weeks agoIS the Akai reel to reel machine? If it is I am not surprised a potential buyer is after that, it seems a bit light in price unless its spares only? I am sure he would be very happy to get it today at that price!!
Goto the listing goto where your pricing is, and click the pricing options tab to right on the desktop, then a drop down box will appear with ability to add.
blossomtree123
OP3 weeks agoHi Many thanks for this - fortunately it isn't the Akai 4000DS !